Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-03-15
A Family Friend.

The product known as bi-carbonate of
soda is ''one OF those things no family
should be without" writes Belle E. Cable
in Good Housekeeping. its manifold vlr-
tues rendering it very adaptive to house.
hold requirements. Every good COOK
knows its excellence in bread making. and
MANY of us doubtless remember the dell
covs soda biscuits our grandmothers pre-
pared to perfection long before the begin
ming of the "rlsing" generation OF baking
powders Prepared flour, so convenient
to have at hand in emergencies. may be
mixed at home, and with less expense
than it can be purchased, particularly by
ladies living in the country. remote from
village stores and of really better quail
tv than the packaged varieties. Mix two
pounds of pure cream of tartar with one
bound of b-carbonate of soda; rub them
together until all Jumps are dissolved, then
pass three times through a fine sieve.
Add three teaspoonfuls to each quart of
flour, and rub all together twice through
the sieve. Use the best flour, and the re-
suit will be satisfactory.
A slight dash of soda renders all green
vegetables more nutritious, tender, and
easy of digestion, particularly cabbage,
spinach and beans. A pinch of soda to
dried beans, split peas. ETC., makes ''all
all the difference in the world" particu-
larly in using them for soups. A very
slight quantity takes from tomatoes the
unpleasantly sharp 'twang," leaving only
an appetizing suggestion of acid. In pre-
pairing stock for soups or gravies, one
half teaspoonful of soda to every quart of
water will extract all the substance FROM
remnants OF meat, bones, liver, ETC.. like
magic. A little bit makes coffee very rich
and if the water be hard will soften it
sufficiently to render the coffee the VERT
able 'cup that cheers"
In sickness as we'll as in health this same
soda comes valiantly to the front rank in
the army of useful things. Well do re-
call the time we agonizsd over poor lit
tie babe shreking with collie. One of us
walked the floor and patted ita back; an
other trotted it on her knee and patted its
back others did equally absurd and
needless things and-patted its back! And
still that child was not happy
IN the midst of the uproar in walked a
lady friend who 'knew all about babies"
Stop hammering away on that child's
backbone, and put little b carb-just
spec&-on its tongue" she said. The
deed was done, the pain-racked child was
relieved in a few moments, and the do
nestle 'empJe was peace"
Dyspeptics find that this same 'bi-carb"
carries "healng in its wing" if regularly
used. 1t creates appetite. tones up the
stomach and sweetens the system. Nau-
sea and sick headache may be
relieved by taking it internally,
while its effect in neutralizing the poison
of bites or stings of venomous insects is
vel. known. 1t acts like charm in the
case OF snake bite. For hives, apply
externally, and swallow small quantity
dissolved in water; als) take light
laxative. Relief from the burning and
irritation will quickly follow. If wet
soda be Immediately applied to burns or
scaIds, both heat and pain speedily sub
side. Other purposes are subserved by
this great product, to all of which it
would be impossible to specially refer;
but that it is real beheiaction, in judi
cious hands, is a fact beyond cavil or
question. Or course, it may often, like
the cooks broth, be overdone, by indis-
criminate usage; but the worthy house
wife knows Just when and where to leave
it off. and the wise home doctor knows
just how long to leave 1t on; and under
such auspicouS circumstances it is indeed
a necessary luxury for which we should
feel devoutly grateful to the science of
chemistry